Apple Watch Ultra 4 Launches With Satellite, AI Features And Brighter Display
The new Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers significant hardware upgrades over the discontinued first-generation model, including satellite connectivity and on-device Siri.
Key points
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the U.S. and features a brighter LTPO3 OLED display.
- First-generation Apple Watch Ultra is discontinued and lacks support for the latest watchOS.
- New models include satellite connectivity, on-device Siri, and enhanced health sensors.
Apple has launched the Apple Watch Ultra 4, introducing significant hardware and software enhancements compared to the original Ultra model released four years ago. The new device starts at $799 in the United States and marks the latest iteration in a series that has added satellite connectivity, improved chips, and longer battery life across three subsequent generations.
The primary distinction between the current flagship and the original model lies in display technology and connectivity. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 utilizes a wide-angle LTPO3 OLED display that supports 1Hz always-on updates, allowing supported watch faces to show ticking seconds. This represents an upgrade from the original’s LTPO2 OLED, which only refreshed always-on content once per minute. Additionally, the newer screen reaches up to 3,000 nits of brightness with a 1-nit minimum, surpassing the original’s 2,000-nit peak.
Hardware and Software Evolution
Apple has expanded the physical and digital capabilities of the Ultra line over time. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 features a 422 by 514 pixel resolution on a 1,245 square millimeter display area, which is 5% larger than the original’s 410 by 502 pixel panel. Thinner display borders accompany this size increase. The new model also introduces single tap, double tap, and wrist flick gestures for interaction.
Connectivity improvements include LTE and 5G cellular support with enhanced weak-signal reception through simultaneous dual-antenna use. A critical addition is emergency satellite connectivity for SOS, Messages, and Find My. The device also supports Precision Finding for compatible iPhones, AirTag 2, and AirPods Pro 3 charging cases, providing distance and direction guidance. These features were absent in the first-generation Ultra.
Software Support and Health Features
Software functionality has shifted significantly with the new release. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 processes Siri requests on-device for supported tasks, including health and fitness data logging, whereas the original model required cloud processing via an internet connection. The new watch also supports Live Translation in Messages when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and offers enhanced Workout Buddy insights with Spanish support.
Health monitoring has become more frequent and accurate. The Ultra 4 includes a Health Sensing System with new electrical and always-on optical heart sensors, performing background heart-rate measurements every five seconds. It also tracks overall and Recovery HRV more frequently and provides more accurate all-day step tracking. On affected U.S. models, Blood Oxygen readings are analyzed on the paired iPhone and viewed in its Health app.
Impact on Original Ultra Owners
Owners of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra face limited options, as Apple discontinued the model in 2023. Crucially, the original Ultra no longer supports the latest major watchOS release, restricting access to new software features and potential security updates. While both the original and the Ultra 4 retain a 49mm titanium case, an Action button, a siren, dual-frequency GPS, and recreational diving support to 40 meters, the software gap widens.
The cumulative improvements in the Ultra 4, including a brighter display, satellite connectivity, and on-device AI processing, suggest a significant performance divide. Users considering an upgrade must weigh the cost of the new $799 device against the diminishing utility of a watch that cannot run the latest operating system. No patch or update has been confirmed to restore latest watchOS support to the original Ultra.
What should you do?
Security and technology professionals should assess the software support status of connected devices in their environment. Devices that no longer receive major operating system updates may lack critical security patches. Verify the watchOS version on existing Apple Watches to determine if they are still supported by the vendor. Monitor official channels for any announcements regarding extended support or security bulletins for discontinued hardware.
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Check the current watchOS version on your Apple Watch to verify if it supports the latest release.
- Review the security implications of using devices that no longer receive major operating system updates.
- Evaluate the necessity of satellite connectivity and on-device processing for your specific use case.
- Monitor official vendor announcements for any future support extensions or security advisories for older models.
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Does the original Apple Watch Ultra support the latest watchOS?
No, Apple discontinued the original Ultra in 2023, and it no longer supports the latest major watchOS release.
What are the key display differences between the Ultra and Ultra 4?
The Ultra 4 has a wider LTPO3 OLED display with 1Hz always-on updates, 3,000 nits brightness, and a 5% larger area.
How much does the Apple Watch Ultra 4 cost?
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the U.S.
